Planned Parenthood was notified of the final decision to terminate contracts in December 2016, more than a year after Texas officials first moved to cut Planned Parenthood from all Medicaid programs. On January 19, after three days of testimony and arguments in the U.S. District Court in Austin, Sparks issued the initial injunction.

Judge Sparks’ ruling against the state’s action is not surprising, as he has historically opposed Pro-Life laws and administrative actions. Judge Sparks indicated that he expected his decision to be appealed to the Fifth Circuit Court, saying “I’m an elevator; I take a case; I move it up to people much smarter than me.”

Texas Right to Life is disappointed in Judge Sparks’ decision but hopes Texas will soon prevail in the decision to award Medicaid contracts to ethical providers that offer health services to Texas women and families. Meanwhile, our legislative team will continue to work full time during the legislative session to pass a budget-wide funding provision that prevents abortion businesses and their affiliates from receiving any additional state funding in Texas.